Happy Fri-YAY my beautiful friends!
Do you want to be living a LUSH LIFE? Are you feeling like a little self-care spring cleaning? I sure am!
So this year I am turning 36 and I’ve been considering ways I can help support my body this year. So in addition to clean eats and consistent movement, I wanted to create more nourishing self care habits around skincare, sleep and play. So today I’ll start with SKIN!
I’ve always had a minimalist/ budget skin care routine, but this year with cropping up of new wrinkles, dark circles and oh so lovely neck wrinkles I’ve decided to deep dive into this arena. If you’re following along on social media, I’ve joined up with Rodan + Fields Skincare.
1. I NOTICED A SKINCARE PROBLEM
2. I TOOK SKINCARE INVENTORY & COMMITTED TO CHANGE
3. I ORDERED AWESOME NEW SKINCARE ALA RODAN + FIELDS
4. I FELL IN LOVE
5. I FREAKED OUT & IMMEDIATELY WANTED TO QUIT
6. I COACHED MYSELF
Do any of these steps sound familiar? It’s called the process of the HUMAN BRAIN! Our brains are committed to three things in order to keep us alive – Seek pleasure, avoid pain & exert as little amount of energy as possible. So when faced with a new goal – be it weight loss, writing a book, online dating, or even creating a new skin care routine, our brains natural reaction is to say STOP. Take the path of least resistance, gather more information, stall and NEVER do the uncomfortable new thing. Maybe go get a bag of chips instead.
My desire to improve my skin with love and attention, led me to purchase the complete set of Rodan + Fields products. I was full of hope and expectation when my big box arrived but when the time came to get to work setting a new habit with more steps and time than I was used to, my brain went into default mode. NO! Too many steps, it’s too late, this will be too expensive to keep up, it’s not worth it, your skin is fine, don’t worry about wrinkles, nobody cares about saggy necks anyway! DON’T open these boxes and go to bed.
Can you see it?
Can you see my cautious brain working to keep me safe, alive and stuck in the primitive cave of my comfort zone?
So, this is what I did. I stood in my bathroom at midnight, staring at 8 or so products and boxes and packaging and I freaking HELD MY OWN HAND. Intentional thinking sounds like, “Lydia. Nothing has gone wrong here, feeling overwhelmed is a completely normal reaction to a new process. But tonight, we will not choose overwhelm. We will take action, say yes to self care. You are a woman that does new things. You are a woman who loves her skin and is willing to make the money to invest in it. You are going to have an AMAZING before and after photo in three months as a result of courageous, empowering thought work and consistent daily action.” BOOM.
I washed my face.
I loved. I trusted.
The Rodan + Fields products are transformative, Pilates is incredible, eating whole foods reduces inflammation… the actions work, but remember begin with your thoughts. If you’re looking to a product or workout or body type to “make” you feel confident, beautiful, and glowing, you will be disappointed. Just look at the countless miserable beautiful people in the world with flat stomachs and tiny pores. Getting your inner glow starts with learning to think with more intension, compassion and trust.
I love my skin
I love a luxurious evening skin routine
I am learning to love my skin as it ages
It possible to love my neck
I want a lush life & I’m willing to invest.
This week I want you to hear your thoughts. I want you too listen. Can you hear your innocent brain sneaking NO WAY- LET’S QUIT into your goals and self care routines. Do you hear it? When you do, hold your own hand and consider it’s possible to love your self to glowing skin, your ideal weight, and all-star life.
In radiance and truth,
XO
Lydia, the Life Coach